Free delivery on orders of R800 and aboveDr Hahnz
0

Dr Hahnz · I care.

Find their next favourite

PETS & US · WITH MARKUS

A long walk.
A place at home.

Oscar knows the sound of the treat cupboard. Bella knows which chair catches the sun. How did dogs and cats become so much a part of our lives? Come, let’s follow their pawprints.

FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS

A few stops along the way.

Come with me—from their wild beginnings to the spot they’ve claimed on our sofa.

  1. 15,800 years ago

    Already walking together.

    Ancient DNA identifies a dog in Türkiye from about 15,800 years ago. Dogs were beside people long before farming. I rather like knowing Oscar is part of such an old story.

    Read the source
  2. About 9,500 years ago

    A cat, close to a person.

    On Cyprus, archaeologists found a cat buried near a person about 9,500 years ago—an early clue to our long bond. Bella would probably say cats chose us.

    Read the source
  3. 664–30 BCE

    Quite the important cat.

    This is the period of a small Egyptian cat sculpture now in The Met. Cats were associated with the goddess Bastet, and cat statuettes were offered at temples. Bella has never asked for a statue. The best chair seems to do nicely.

    Read the source
  4. About 2,000 years ago

    The journey keeps going.

    A 2025 ancient-DNA study points to domestic cats spreading from North Africa into Europe around 2,000 years ago. I’m glad that long journey eventually brought Bella to our home.

    Read the source
  5. Today, at our house

    Now we’re their people.

    Somewhere along the way, a very long history became the small things at home. A nudge at my knee. A cat on my book. A dog who hears “walk” from three rooms away. They give us their company. Our part is to look after them, every day.

    Let’s bring it home

THE PART WE PLAY

Good days start
with little things.

At our house, care is an everyday habit. Here’s where I start with Oscar and Bella.

For your dogFor your cat

Oscar’s everyday essentials.

  1. Water within reach.

    Oscar’s water bowl gets a proper check, not just a quick glance. Keep clean drinking water available all the time, with shade and a comfortable place to rest.

  2. The right bowl for them.

    I check that Oscar’s food is intended for his species and life stage, then use that exact pack’s feeding guide as my starting point. For amounts, weight or individual needs, I ask our vet.

  3. Time together counts.

    A walk with Oscar is part exercise, part neighbourhood inspection. Give your dog activity and mental stimulation suited to their age and health. In hot weather, choose cooler hours, bring water and avoid hot pavements.

  4. Know their normal.

    I know Oscar’s usual appetite and energy. If something changes, I contact our vet. Regular check-ups and a vet-guided plan for vaccines, parasites and dental care belong in the diary.

  5. A way back home.

    I keep Oscar safely contained and his identification details current. A tag or microchip is only useful if the contact details still reach you. Keep your vet’s number somewhere the whole family can find it.

Bella’s everyday essentials.

  1. Water within reach.

    Bella needs clean drinking water too. Make her food, water and litter tray easy to reach, especially if getting around is becoming difficult.

  2. The right bowl for them.

    Bella has her own cat food. I start with the exact pack’s feeding guide and ask our vet about portions and her individual needs. A dog’s food is not a substitute for a cat’s diet.

  3. Time together counts.

    I make room for play with Bella, and for a quiet retreat when she has had enough company. Keep her resting place and litter tray clean and easy to reach. Let your vet help if her movement or behaviour changes.

  4. Know their normal.

    I pay attention to Bella’s eating, drinking, toilet habits and behaviour. Changes deserve a call to the vet. Regular check-ups and a vet-guided care plan matter even when she seems well.

  5. A way back home.

    Bella’s identification details need to stay current too. Make a plan for safe travel and emergencies, and keep her carrier easy to find. If she is injured or seriously unwell, contact a vet promptly.

A few good habits, every day. Our vet helps me adapt Oscar’s and Bella’s care as their needs change.

Find their food
The reading behind our conversation

I like a good story, and I want the facts right. These are the museum, research and animal-care sources used here.